Where to Stay in Austin (10 Best Places, By a Local)

10 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Austin

Central Austin is built like a ladder. Interstate 35 is the right side and Highway 1 (Mopac) is the left side. Lady Bird Lake is the middle rung and major cross streets form additional rungs above and below. Four of the areas we will discuss are above the lake, two are below, and four are outside the ladder.

Downtown Austin

👉 Best Area For First-Timers | ✨ Best Downtown Austin Hotels: The Line • Austin Proper Hotel • JW Marriott Austin • Driskill Hotel

The Live Music Capital of The World showcases itself best in the downtown area of Austin, along with a concentration of top comedy venues and high-end restaurants.

The Line features a rooftop bar overlooking the lake in a prime bat-watching spot. Top Austin areas like South Congress (SoCo), the Sixth Street/Red River entertainment district, and Rainey Street are within walking distance from The Line. The shoreline trails around Lady Bird Lake are also easily accessible.

Unparalleled luxury can be found at the Austin Proper Hotel. Also sporting a rooftop bar (and pool!), is the 34-story JW Marriott Austin, along with some of the largest rooms available. 

For those looking for an authentic and historic Texan experience, the Driskill Hotel on Sixth Street has it all – luxury accommodations, vintage hide-and-bone Texas elegance, and even a fun story of supernatural brides haunting the halls of the hotel.

Pros of Staying in Downtown Austin:

• Central to all the best attractions
• Widest choice of hotel accommodations
• Walkability to nightlife, shopping, dining

Cons of Staying in Downtown Austin:

• Noise levels can be loud and late
• Limited parking/traffic congestion
• Budget options tend to be low-quality

East Austin

👉Best Area For Arts & Entertainment | ✨Best East Austin Hotels: ARRIVE Austin • Sentral East Austin • East Austin Hotel

East Austin is the fastest-growing area of the city, mixing ultra-modern with old Austin funkiness to create an artsy locale. From great live music at Hotel Vegas (which is a bar, not a hotel) to the authenticity of Cisco’s to Shangri-La, where Bill Murray once spontaneously bartended. Learn to two-step at the hip honky-tonk White Horse or check out the colorful murals in Urdy Plaza. 

As for East Austin accommodations, the modern and stylish ARRIVE Austin offers an international menu at its restaurant. Travelers looking for a trendy atmosphere will love staying here.

There are two modern hotels named Sentral East Austin, ironically separated by a tattoo parlor and The Liberty, a pet-friendly dive bar. The 1630 E. Sixth location offers designer-furnished large studio apartments, and the 1614 location has a washer/dryer in the unit and a business center. 

Meanwhile, choices abound at the boutique East Austin Hotel, from luxurious full suites to Euro-style shared bathrooms.

Finally, the ‘best barbecue in the known universe” can be enjoyed at Franklin Barbecue.

Pros of Staying in East Austin:

• Plenty of diverse and eclectic entertainment choices
• Can walk under the highway to “Dirty Sixth” and downtown
• Abundance of high-quality eateries

Cons of Staying in East Austin:

• Hipster culture may be too much for some, but pockets of old Austin remain
• Can be expensive

South Congress

👉 Best Area For Unique Shopping | ✨ Best South Congress Hotels: Hotel Saint Cecilia • Hotel San José • South Congress Hotel • Austin Motel

Referred to by locals as “SoCo,” the South Congress district is a concentrated cultural center stretched along a single avenue with the picturesque Texas Capitol seen in the distance at one end. 

Grounded by iconic live music venue, The Continental Club, this walkable shopping area hosts a wide variety of eateries, vintage clothing, designer fashion, and eclectic boutiques. It’s a great place to try on some cowboy boots, and definitely check out Big Top Candy!

The Foo Fighters recorded an album while staying at the exclusive Hotel Saint Cecilia, and Dave Grohl said it was heartbreaking to leave. Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant lived in the beloved Travis Heights neighborhood just to the east, and a casual stroll through this charming area is recommended. 

For premium choices right on the street, choose the Hotel San José or the South Congress Hotel, and the nostalgic Austin Motel is always a fun choice.

Pros of Staying in the South Congress area:

• Plenty of good/affordable food and drink options
• Top-notch live music venues
• Great boutique shopping with mix of funky and upscale

Cons of Staying in the South Congress area:

• Lodging can be expensive
• Parking can require a stroke of luck

Rainey Street

👉 Best Area For Vibrant Nightlife | ✨ Best Rainey Street Hotels: Fairfield Inn & Suites Austin Downtown • Hotel van Zandt • Holiday Inn Austin -Town Lake by IHG

Trendy people flock to the bustling nightlife center, Rainey Street.

Once a nearly-forgotten neighborhood of historic old houses, it was slowly transformed into hip bungalow bars before many of them were torn down in favor of large hotels like the Fairfield Inn & Suites Austin Downtown and the Hotel van Zandt. The latter boasts over 300 rooms, a pool with a beautiful view of downtown, and a chic restaurant/bar with live music called Geraldine’s. 

For those on a budget, Holiday Inn Austin -Town Lake by IHG is the best bargain in town.

Clive, Banger’s, the Stay Put, Lucille, and a few others still bring the original cottage bar charm. For a quick bite while bar hopping, check out the excellent food trucks in the area.

Pros of Staying on Rainey Street:

• Plenty of bars, restaurants and nightlife just outside your hotel
• Hotels provide parking
• The reasonably-priced Holiday Inn has access to top Austin attractions

Cons of Staying on Rainey Street:

• Noise levels can be loud and late
• Can be crowded during peak seasons

Zilker/South Lamar

👉 Best Area For Outdoor Activities | ✨ Best Zilker/South Lamar Hotels: The Loren • The Carpenter • Hyatt Regency Austin

In the Zilker/South Lamar area, outdoor enthusiasts will want to experience the cool spring waters of the Barton Springs Pool and stroll through the Zilker Botanical Garden or the Umlauf Sculpture Garden.

The Loren Hotel is at the base of a pedestrian bridge that spans Lady Bird Lake into downtown, and Butler Pitch and Putt is right next door. The unique Carpenter Hotel is the closest hotel to the Austin City Limits Music Festival (ACL). Reservations can be made a year in advance. 

Facing downtown is my #1 overall hotel pick: the Hyatt Regency Austin. It towers over the lake from its southern shore and offers a fantastic location with comfortable rooms and amenities.

Both casual and fancy eateries shine here: Chuy’s is an Austin classic, Uchi’s sushi chef and Aaron Franklin teamed up for Loro, and Ramen Tatsuya is a hometown favorite. Vegetarians will love the woman-owned Bouldin Creek Cafe.

Eat and drink while watching a movie at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema South Lamar, and don’t miss dancing at the Broken Spoke, which is a world-renowned honky-tonk.

Pros of Staying in Zilker/South Lamar:

• Most centralized region for outdoor activities
• Close proximity to Zilker Park and Barton Springs
• Absolute best area for Austin City Limits Music Festival

Cons of Staying in Zilker/South Lamar:

• Limited hotel accommodations – all luxury, no budget options
• Heavy traffic along South Lamar

University of Texas Campus Area

👉 Best Area For Visiting UT Campus | ✨ Best Campus Hotels: Moxy Austin • The Otis Hotel • Hilton Garden Inn Austin University Capitol District • Hotel Ella

Whether you’re scouting the University of Texas as a potential college choice or visiting a student, the campus area of Austin offers nice accommodations. The primary avenue is Guadalupe Street – aka “The Drag” – and it is lined with shops and eateries. 

Moxy Austin is at the top of the Drag, and the Otis Hotel is near the bottom, but the Hilton Garden Inn Austin University Capitol District is only two blocks further south. For more intimacy and charm, have a cocktail at the poolside bar at the Hotel Ella. 

Jump in a time machine and grab some 1970s flavor at the Texas Chili Parlor or enjoy some excellent Indian cuisine at the Clay Pit.

The intimate and renowned Cactus Café has been showcasing musical talent since 1979, while the aptly-named Hole in the Wall – next door to the Moxy hotel – has been doing its dive-bar version even longer.

Pros of Staying in the Campus Area:

• Easy access to University of Texas campus
• Best place to get a sense of student life
• Quality food and drink on a budget

Cons of Staying in the Campus Area:

• Prices go up in peak seasons and special events
• Lively campus activities may create a noise hazard

Northwest Austin

👉 Best Area For Families & Business Travelers | ✨ Best Northwest Austin Hotels: Lone Star Court, by Valencia Hotel Collection • Hilton Garden Inn Austin North • Element Austin at The Domain • Renaissance Austin Hotel

Northwest Austin has earned the nickname of “Silicon Hills” for being home to tech powerhouses such as Microsoft, Apple, IBM, Dell, and Amazon.

Those traveling for business with these and other companies as well as traveling families will appreciate the modern high-end shops and eateries available in The Domain, which likes to bill itself as a second downtown.

The Lone Star Court is located at the bottom of The Domain while the highly-rated Hilton Garden Inn Austin North and Element Austin are just two blocks to the east. Over in the Arboretum, the Renaissance Austin Hotel sits on a 95-acre expanse and is a good alternative to being right in the middle of The Domain.

The area also has plenty of gaming venues and eclectic cocktail offerings.

Pros of Staying in Northwest Austin:

• Plenty of high-end shopping and quality restaurants, craft cocktails
• Proximity to larger technology companies
• Sneaky backdoor highway to airport

Cons of Staying in Northwest Austin:

• More expensive in general
• Around 13 miles to get into central Austin and the classic live music venues

North Loop/Hyde Park

👉 Best Area For Local Color | ✨ Best North Loop Hotels: Commodore Perry Estate • Residence Inn by Marriott Austin – University • Holiday Inn Austin Midtown by IHG

Almost 10 miles north of downtown, North Loop is a popular residence for students and young families. The atmosphere is laid-back and not aimed at tourists. 

Ironically, the grandest hotel property in the city hides inside this unassuming neighborhood. The Commodore Perry Hotel exudes both luxury and history. For more traditional accommodations, the Residence Inn by Marriott and the Holiday Inn Midtown are the best in the area.

The Little Longhorn Saloon is a tiny Texas honky-tonk famous for its Chicken Sh*t Bingo, and Nervous Charlie’s was voted Best Bagel in Texas in 2022. More local color can be found along North Loop Blvd which becomes East 53rd Street. Epoch Coffee is a popular hang-out for students, and unique vintage shopping can be found a few blocks away at Room Service Vintage, Blue Velvet, and Breakaway Records.

Pros of Staying in the North Loop area:

• Very casual and relaxed atmosphere
• Great vintage shopping, indie bars and restaurants
• Good place to get a sense of local life

Cons of Staying in the North Loop area:

• Sparse hotel accommodations 
• Limited activities available

Barton Creek

👉 Best Area For Luxury Stays | ✨ Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa • Hotel Viata • The Wayback

Barton Creek is a wonderful choice for luxury travelers. 

In fact, you may not need to leave the 4,000-acre property of the Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa with its four championship golf courses, ten lighted tennis courts, indoor/outdoor pools, seven restaurants/bars, and full-service Mokara Spa with a hair and nail salon.

The Hotel Viata also contains a spa center and is a great couples retreat with its hilltop view perfect for sunsets from the pool. For a more casual stay, check out the eight boutique cottages of The Wayback, which prides itself in sustainable furnishings and a saltwater pool.

Barton Creek itself offers forty miles of greenbelt hiking trails and seasonal swimming holes.

Pros of Staying in Barton Creek:

• Luxurious offerings far from the bustle of the city
• Great area for golfers
• Easy access to out-of-city lakes and nature areas

Cons of Staying in Barton Creek:

• Very Expensive
• Around 10 miles to get into central Austin
• Far from airport (around 18 miles)

Near The Airport

👉 Best Area For Airport Access | ✨ Best Airport Hotels: Aloft Austin Airport • Atwell Suites Austin Airport by IHG • Holiday Inn Austin Airport by IHG • Hilton Austin Airport

Let’s be honest: “near the airport” is not the most desirable location in any city. While Austin is no exception, the city’s airport does have easy access to downtown and major tourist areas. 

But what if you are in town on business, or need to get out on a morning flight and can’t afford to be stuck in traffic? Or what If you are attending an event at Circuit of the Americas (COTA), which is east of the airport – even further away from the city?

Answer: Top-rated hotels Atwell Suites Austin Airport by IHG, Aloft Austin Airport and Holiday Inn Austin Airport by IHG. The Hilton Austin Airport is the closest as it is physically within airport grounds.

All these hotels offer free shuttles to the airport, but there is another bonus: all are near three of the finest breweries anywhere: Live Oak Brewing, Pinthouse Brewing, and Meanwhile Brewing.

Pros of Staying Near the Airport:

• Shortest commute to airport, avoid traffic congestion
• In Austin, top-quality breweries are nearby!
• Easy access to Circuit of the Americas

Cons of Staying near the Airport:

• Little to no nightlife or activities available
• Will need transportation into town for any activities
• It’s the airport!

Tips for Staying in Austin

Summers are HOT

Texas has a later summer than northerners are used to, and it is hotter than visitors expect. September can sometimes be the hottest month. 

From mid-October to early-June, though, Austin is a wonderful place to be. That said, locals know how to stay cool in the summer. From spring-fed swimming holes to patio bars with misting fans, the party does not stop just because of heat. Stay hydrated and enjoy the sun!

Read Niahm’s article about what surprised her most about visiting Texas as a New Yorker to learn about some other differences you might not expect when visiting Austin.

Visit in March if you can

March is simply paradise here. Texas wildflowers peak between mid-March and mid-April, and taking a country drive west of Austin to cruise through carpeted fields of Bluebonnets, Indian Blankets, Mexican Hats, Pink Ladies, and Brown-eyed Susans will be an experience you won’t soon forget.

Don’t be afraid of food trucks!

Austin is a foodie town and that goes for its food trucks as well. The quality of the cuisine coming from these mobile chefs is outstanding. And I am convinced that nobody outside of Austin knows how to make a breakfast taco!

You don’t necessarily need a rental car

This seems counter-intuitive because locals know they can’t function without a vehicle. But if you stay anywhere near Lady Bird Lake, a car will be more trouble than it is worth. Parking is a problem. Better to use a rideshare like Uber or Lyft from the airport and use your feet from there. So much of this city is walkable! And yes, we have scooters and bike rentals.

👉 You Might Also Like: Where to Stay in San Antonio (by a local)

FAQs about Austin

What are the best areas to stay in Austin for first-timers?

Downtown, East Austin, South Congress, and Rainey Street are the best areas to stay for those visiting Austin for the first time. Most attractions are walkable from these areas.

What are safe areas to stay in Austin?

Austin is generally considered a safe city with a slightly higher safety rating than most major cities. The even better news is that it is trending towards even more safety; Austin’s crime rate has been going down year after year in recent times.

The famous part of Sixth Street (between I-35 and Congress Ave) can get pretty rowdy at times. Think Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Use caution. There is a reason it is nicknamed “Dirty Sixth.”

In terms of specific neighborhoods, Westlake Hills and Barton Creek are easily the safest areas of Austin. More centrally, one of the safest neighborhoods in all of Austin is Hyde Park – the residential area just above the Campus area, which is also considered safe.

What areas of Austin are to be avoided?

Going much further east of the East Austin area detailed above increases the chances for crime a little bit, and the East Riverside area in between downtown and the airport should probably be avoided unless you are escorted by a local who knows the area.

What are the best parts of Austin to stay on a budget?

While many of the hotels we covered are quite luxurious, Austin has plenty of places for the budget-minded. They may not be particularly noteworthy, but they are generally clean and safe. Hotels located along Interstate 35 tend to have much better rates than those deep in the city.

Is it expensive to live in Austin?

Longtime residents will give you an exasperated sigh at this question, as prices have indeed risen considerably in recent years. However, it is still considered affordable in comparison to other major cities in the U.S.

What is there to do in Austin?

I’m glad you asked! Please check out my article covering that exact topic: Things To Do in Austin.

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Thanks for reading my guide to where to stay in Austin! If you have any other questions or if you’ve had a different experience, I would love to hear from you! Leave me a comment below; I will find out and let you know.

And don’t forget to check out my guide to the top things to do in Austin!